Year of Consecrated Life Indulgence

The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has proclaimed a Year of Consecrated Life through February 2, 2016, the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. The year marks the 50th anniversary of Perfectas Cantatis, a decree on religious life and Lumen Gentium, the Second Vatican Council's constitution on the Church. Its purpose, as stated by the Vatican, is to "make a grateful remembrance of the recent past" while embracing "the future with hope."

The Holy Father will concede plenary indulgences with the customary conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion, and prayer) in keeping with the iintentions of the Supreme Pontiff, to all truly repentant faithful. The indulgence may also be offered for the holy souls in Purgatory. (An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven.)

The indulgence may be obtained every time you make a pilgrimage to the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament or Our Lady of Guadalupe Church (these are located locally). These sacred places are designated by Bishop Jaime Soto and when you go there you need to publicly recite the Liturgy of the Hours, or pause in prayer and recollection concluding with the recitation of the Our Father,m the Profession of Faith, and pious invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The indulgence may also be obtained by taking part in the "Seven Houses of Worship and Charity Walk" pilgrimage in Sacramento on Holy Saturday, April 4 from 7 am to 2 pm. The pilgrimage begins at 7:00 at St. Elizabeth Church. Pilgrims should pause in prayerful meditation at each church and conclude with the Our Father, the Profession of Faith (Creed) and invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

People who, on account of ill health, are prevented from visitiing sacred places, may nonetheless receive the plenary indulgence if, completely detached from any type of sin, and be able to fulfill the three usual conditions as soon as possible, devoutly carry out the spiritual visit and offer their illness and hardships of their life to God, through Mary, with the addition of the prayers above.

This is an opportune time of grace for the faithful, religious, and clergy of the Diocese to pray for an increase of vocations to the Consecrated Life, Diaconate and Priesthood.